Ukraine's strike cripples key Russian assets in Crimea
Analysts specializing in the war in Ukraine have conducted an analysis of satellite images of the airport in Saki, Crimea. It turns out that as a result of the recent Ukrainian attack, the occupying Russians on the peninsula lost not only two Su-30SM aircraft but also other valuable equipment.
"This is one of the operational airports used by Russia to control the airspace, particularly the Black Sea, and to carry out airstrikes on Ukrainian territory. The consequences of the attack are still being determined," the General Staff of Ukraine reported shortly after the attack in a statement on Facebook.
The Ukrainians struck in the morning on July 26, using ATACMS ballistic missiles. Depending on the variant, they can hit targets up to approximately 160 kilometres or even around 310 kilometres away. Information quickly emerged that two Russian Su-30SM aircraft were hit. Based on satellite images, analysts concluded that Russian losses are greater and also include radar systems.
More Russian losses in Crimea
Comparing images of the Saki airport before and after the attack allowed analysts to estimate that the Ukrainians also hit the Nebo-M radar system. As noted on the defenseromania portal, this is a significant blow for the invaders, as the estimated cost of the Nebo-M is up to $100 million.
This is an advanced radar system used to monitor airspace traffic. It has a range of 600 kilometres (in all-around mode) and can exchange collected data with Russian anti-aircraft missile systems, including the Pantsir-S1, S-300, and S-400 used in Ukraine.
Su-30SM aircraft, the damage to which was confirmed much earlier, are multi-role fighter jets. They are among the newest aircraft used by the Russian army. They are also valuable equipment, with the cost of producing one unit exceeding $40 million.
These are twin-engine, single-seat machines capable of reaching over 2,000 kilometres per hour and operating at over 17,000 metres. They come standard with a 30 mm GSz-30-1 aircraft cannon but can also carry suspended armaments weighing several tonnes.
As Norbert Garbarek, a journalist from Wirtualna Polska, explained, these Su-30SM could be the main opponents of Western F-16 fighters, which Ukraine will start receiving as early as this summer.
